Disclaimer: I do not own TBBT of its characters, I merely play with them. Elizabeth and her coven are mine and I love them so.
Rating: Mature for strong language, violence & sexual themes.
Warnings: Language, violence, gore & some sexy times for our lovely coven leaders (nothing explicit)
Italics are character's internal thoughts and/or flashbacks.
A/N: Final chapter of this story. I rewrote it about 4 times because I wanted it to flow smoothly into the next story Masquerade: Apocalypse.
Many thanks for reading, following and of course to the reviews. :-) You guys are amazing!
He should have known things were too good to be true.
Elizabeth was finally opening up to him, allowing him to sit near her. Her relationship with her daughter was flourishing. She was finally able to get through a day without a flashback. Sheldon should have known it was when he was finally starting to feel confident that the rug would be violently pulled from underneath him.
He knew the moment he entered the sitting room and saw the solemn faces of Ana, Simon and Penny that they had news that would upset him. Penny did not even try to force a smile when she moved towards him and opened her arms for Irina. Irina went with her Auntie Penny without missing a beat and the two ladies escaped the rising tension.
"She's gone."
Sheldon's voice was flat and completely emotionless. He knew this was a risk. He knew that with Elizabeth's slow recovery would come the desire to see the man who had caused her such hell to fall at her spear. He just never expected she would up and do it without so much as a goodbye. There was no drawn out kisses or promises to return. She just…left.
"Yes." Simon nodded, his shaking hands hidden in his pockets.
"When?"
"They left a few hours ago." Ana softly cut in.
Sheldon nodded with an impassive expression. "Who's 'they'?"
Ana and Simon both quickly looked to one another, each feeling the same anxiety as the other.
"Vaclav and Thomas." Ana whispered.
"Just the three of them?" Sheldon yelled in frustration.
"Yes."
Sheldon clenched his fists at his side as the overwhelming urge to tear something apart began to course through his veins. She wasn't ready to face William, let alone on her own, yet she was doing so. She was putting herself in his path with only her 2 faithful-to-a-fault sidekicks.
"He's tearing our coven apart." Simon whispered sadly, drawing Sheldon's red eyes. "He is a dangerous enemy, Sheldon, and he is doing more damage to our coven than any of us want to admit. He did more than just hurt Elisabeta, he planted too many seeds of doubt that have put longtime members against one another."
"So go after him on her own? That's her plan?" Sheldon asked incredulously.
"Yes. She knows her coven doubts her ability to lead now –"
"That is not true!" Sheldon cut in angrily.
"Yes it is!" Simon bellowed. "We had to tear Vaclav and Hans apart. Vaclav and I are fighting. The council is voting to force Vaclav to assume leadership."
Sheldon openly gaped at Simon's admission. How could they consider something so harsh after everything she had sacrificed for the coven over the centuries? The wars she has fought and won. The protection she has offered.
"She is known and all but worshipped for her sadistic violence and her ability to withstand just about anything." Ana's voice cracked in sadness.
"So because she showed a human side everyone is doubting that she can continue to lead?" Sheldon bit out.
"Yes." Simon nodded.
"Then what type of fucking coven is this?" Sheldon turned on his heel and stormed towards the door. His destination clear in his mind.
"It is a coven that was built on the blood of the Dracul name." Simon's words stopped Sheldon, his body tensing. "This was her only option."
Sheldon laughed humorlessly, shaking his head in disbelief. "No, no it wasn't."
Slowly Sheldon turned around and faced the spouses of the 2 most sadistic men he ever met and could see the concern in their eyes and knew they felt the same fear he did. That their loved one would not return home, but he felt something they didn't - anger.
"She should have been able to rely on all of you as you have always done with her. She has put herself in front of danger for us countless times and the one time she desperately needs you to do the same for her, you cower and throw her at the enemy. Say what you mean. This wasn't her only option. It was yours." Sheldon sneered before exiting the room swiftly, slamming the heavy wooden doors behind him violently.
Sheldon's angered footsteps pounded against the harsh stone floor as he swiftly moved through the castle. His normally blue eyes had shifted a mutinous black, his fangs long and prominent as they dug into his bottom lip. The desire to lash out was so strong that his arms shook from the tension. It was unbelievable. These people claimed to be loyal to their Queen, yet they allowed her to leave despite knowing she was in no position to fight her enemy. And all because they did not know how to fight a battle without her.
It took only several turns and glares at servants to move from his path before he arrived at his destination. Sheldon did not even falter his steps as he roughly slammed open the heavy wooden doors of the council meeting room, drawing shocked gasps and all eyes.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ilana swiftly rose from her chair and glared at the Prince with harsh red eyes. Sheldon ignored her words and moved towards the main throne that his wife normally sat at. As expected the chairs that framed hers were also empty. He turned and his black eyes pinned the other council members in place. He had rarely step foot inside the council room, but felt perfectly at ease in the university classroom type seating. His eyes scanning each and every member daring them to speak.
"You have no right to interrupt an official council meeting, Prince." Ilana sneered, her jet black hair pulled into a tight bun and her deep burgundy dress hugging her almost indecently. She was an attractive woman, however, dressed much too young for her age.
Sheldon openly glared at the woman, his dark eyes sending an unsettled shiver up her spine.
"You call yourself a council? You call yourself loyal coven members?" Sheldon challenged as the door opened again with Simon, Ana, Leonard and Howard walking in. Simon and Ana had hoped to stop him prior to any dramatics so they grabbed his 2 friends on their way.
"You dare question our loyalty?" Ilana clenched her fists in anger while the other coven members held their tongue.
"Sheldon –" Leonard quietly started, slowly approaching the platform with his hands up in a placating gesture, but stopped when Sheldon turned his glare on him. Leonard nodded and stepped back.
"You consider voting to cast your Queen aside to be loyalty?" Sheldon once again turned back to the council, many turning their gaze away.
"She is unfit to rule this coven at the moment. We have to consider the safety of all." Ilana bit out through clenched teeth.
Sheldon cocked his head to the side much like a curious bird. "And how many battles have you fought in?"
Ilana pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Everyone knew she was not on the council due to her extensive battle history, but her ability to manipulate and connive.
Sheldon looked around at each of the individual council members. Many of which were not fighters. In fact, of the 27 council members only 3 were warriors. The same 3 who were not sitting in their appointed seats because once again they put themselves in the path of danger to protect those too weak to stand up.
"You all disgust me, you pathetic worms." Sheldon harshly whispered. "You call yourself loyal, yet turn on your Queen at the first sign of weakness. I dare any of you to stand up and say you have none. I challenge any of you to put yourself in the hands of the enemy to protect every weak individual in this room."
"My Lord," Tivadar rose from his seat, his Hungarian accent heavy. "We do not turn on our Queen. We wish her the time she needs. Vaclav would rule strong until our Queen is once again able."
Sheldon stared at the elder heavy-set man who's near white short hair and matching beard showed his age at the time of his turn.
"How wonderful it must be to be you. To sit around inside a heavily guarded castle, denied absolutely no luxury and allowed to live long, healthy and happy lives without the need to work for it." Sheldon smirked. "You all received your place because why? You earned it? Don't make me laugh. You all received your place upon this council because you serve a purpose to the magnificent woman who leads you. You think with the removal of her from that seat your positions will remain?"
Many council members shifted uncomfortably, some mumbling in defiance, some mumbling in agreement. Ilana stormed from her seat in anger, her dark red eyes screaming death for the harsh words Sheldon used. The 4 newcomers stared in equal parts shock and awe as she moved within reach of Sheldon, reaching into her bodice to remove a dagger. Sheldon grabbed Ilana roughly by the throat, lifting the woman off the ground, her feet kicking helplessly beneath her as her long nails scratched at Sheldon's firm grip.
Sheldon watched Ilana struggle in his grip, her mouth opening in a silent plea for help. Angered beyond the point of return, Sheldon slowly drew the woman closer until they were nearly touching noses.
"No one turns on my wife." Sheldon whispered harshly. "No one."
With the flick of his wrist, Sheldon snapped Ilana's neck and dropped the woman's corpse to the ground.
Ana stood with both hands covering her mouth, her green eyes flooded with tears. Simon stared at Sheldon in disbelief, his eyes flicking between the man and the woman who had sat upon the council since it had formed. Leonard and Howard both looked to Sheldon with sadness.
The council was silent. Their eyes drawn to the unmoving figure of the very woman who proposed to remove Elizabeth from her position as Queen.
"There is no room for doubt in this coven. If you question my wife's ability to protect you all, then I suggest you leave and find your protection elsewhere. Any additional attempts made against my wife will be answered in the same way as Ilana's was. You will die at my hand." Sheldon's voice was unnaturally cold and calculated. Howard cocked his head slightly when he realized that his longtime friend sounded much like his wife. Angered, yet very controlled in it.
The council members remained silent, but slowly one by one, each member tilted their necks slightly to bare their neck in a show of submission.
"As husband to the Queen I am appointing a new council leader in the absence of Elisabeta, Vaclav and Thomas. Until further notice, your new council leader will be Penelope Hofstadter. She will oversee all council meetings and her vote will ultimately be the decision. Any doubts be made now." Sheldon's eyes flicked towards the door and was relieved to see Leonard smiling at his friend.
Tivadar looked upon the other council members, each one shaking their head slightly. Standing tall and head cock slightly to the side in submission he responded. "There be no doubts, my Lord. We welcome your assignment."
"Good." Sheldon sneered as he stepped down from the platform and stormed towards the door. "Leonard please alert Penny of her new appointment and join Howard and I in the war room."
Leonard nodded and followed behind his friend, turning down a different hall towards the room he knew Penny to be in with Irina. Howard, Simon and Ana all quickly followed behind Sheldon.
"What are you doing?" Simon asked in shock as they rounded a corner and put more distance between them and the council room.
"What needs to be done to save my wife." Sheldon barked over his shoulder, but not slowing his steps.
"Sheldon, do not mistake our feelings as though we do not care what happens to Elisabeta." Simon pleaded, his throat closing at the very idea of betraying the woman he had faithfully served for centuries.
Sheldon quickly stopped and turned towards the three following him, his black eyes flicking between Simon and Ana.
"Admit it, you are angry that they followed her. You are angry that they left your side to be at hers." Sheldon was calm as the realization sunk in. Ana closed her eyes and looked away. Simon merely raised a brow in question.
"I will not deny that I have questioned my lover's loyalty to her. Though I will not admit that I'm angered by it. I accept this for what it is. As I told you before, he will always choose her over me and that is a reality I have accepted." Simon calmly retorted.
"Accepted, yes, but only because it is your only option." Sheldon shrugged. "I only have one priority right now and that is coming up with a plan to save my wife. If you two are so lost in your own worry then please stay out of my way."
Refusing to allow them to respond, Sheldon turned and continued on his path towards the war room, Howard following quietly. Neither Ana nor Simon were dumb enough to follow.
"He did what?" Penny yelled in disbelief causing Leonard to wince at her volume
"He appointed you the new council leader." Leonard reiterated and turned his attention to the toddler playing on the floor. Penny stared down at him with an agape jaw and wide eyes.
"Why?"
Leonard snorted and looked up at his wife with a gentle shake of his head.
"You've sort of come into your own here, Penny. Thomas trusts you, Elizabeth trusts you and more importantly Sheldon does. I think he wants someone on his side in there." Leonard smiled at Penny's frozen shock.
"But me?" Penny fell back into the chair she had been sitting on prior to her husband entering the room and turning her world on its axis.
Leonard shifted on the floor and rest his arm across Penny's legs, rubbing her thigh gently. "Why not?"
"Because I'm…well…me." Penny shrugged.
"Yeah and you're great. You fight well and have helped Elizabeth more than anyone after her captivity. People respect you, Penny. You know how to rally people when needed, but also keep people in line."
Penny chewed her bottom lip as she considered Leonard's words. It didn't make sense to her. Sheldon had always mocked her and commented on her average intellect, yet here he was, appointing her in charge of the council.
"What if I fail miserably?" Penny whispered.
"You won't." Leonard reassured. "You are amazing, Penny. A lot of people respect you and I think it's time you learn to do the same. Sheldon is putting a huge amount of faith in you. He could have appointed anyone to that position and he chose you."
Penny shrugged and shook her head. "I don't know, Leonard –"
"Penny," he interrupted quickly, taking her hands into his own and looking at her seriously, "he needs you to do this. He is slowly losing his mind with worry. He needs to know that the council is secure and in safe hands and he's trusting that to you. He needs this…we all do."
The blonde's face looked pinched with worry, her mind racing.
"It's just right now there is so much going on."
"Exactly, which is why he needs you to do this." Leonard nodded in agreement.
"No, Leonard, you don't get it." Penny shook her head and rose from her seat, knocking Leonard's arm off her legs in the process.
The physicist watched his wife as she paced with furrowed brows. "Penny, what is going on?"
Penny closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip as she weighed the pro's and con's of being honest. After tense minutes she finally turned to him and looked at him almost pleadingly.
"If I tell you something, you have to swear you won't tell."
"Okay." He nodded immediately.
"I'm in contact with Elisabeta."
Penny flinched when Leonard's eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
"And you aren't telling Sheldon?"
"I can't!" Penny crossed her arms and placed her weight on her one side, cocking her hip. A position she assumed far too many times when they lived in Pasadena when she was becoming defensive. "She trusts me, Leonard. You don't understand. She doesn't want Sheldon to know because she doesn't want anything to happen to him."
Leonard shook his head, but his expression did not change.
"Penny, how can you not tell him? I just told you what he did in the council meeting. He's losing his mind!"
The blonde nodded, her defensive posture not wavering.
"I know. I know that and I'm heartbroken for him. I truly am, but Leonard, you don't get it."
Leonard sat back against the chair, clasping his hands in his lap and looked at his wife neutrally. He felt like there was something she was saying without saying it directly. Something that would shed light on why she was keeping this secret, yet he could not figure it out.
"You're right, I don't get it." Leonard finally admitted softly. "Please, help me to understand why we are going to allow Sheldon to drive himself mad with worry."
The couple each stared at the other, neither one speaking. The only sounds were that of Irina, who was distracted with her soft building blocks that Penny had bought online for her. She adored the texture, colors and stacking them up before knocking them over.
"You don't know what it's like to be violated like that, Leonard. To know in the back of your mind you are strong enough to fight back, but your body freezes and you can't. All you can do is scream in your mind, willing your body to respond and feeling hopeless when it doesn't." Penny looked down at her feet as tears escaped her eyes. "I…I never faced him again and for a very long time that made me feel even more helpless. She wants to take back that control and get justice for herself and every person he's done this to and I…I can't stop her from doing that-
"Because you wish you had." Leonard softly finished.
Penny nodded as she wiped away her tears. "I know Sheldon is hurting, I do, but I also know that she needs to do this or he will never have her back. She trusts me and I can't betray that. I won't."
Leonard quietly rose to his feet and walked the few steps to his wife, pulling her into his arms and rubbing her back gently as she rest her head on his shoulder. "I won't ask you to. We'll do this together, okay? You can help Sheldon and Elizabeth and not betray the trust of either one of them. I promise I will help you with it."
Penny could only nod and wrap her arms tighter around her husband.
"So what do you want to do first?" Howard asked as he looked down at the map on the table. The map had been marked with all the camps they had destroyed and all the camps that had been abandoned. They needed to find a pattern and fast.
Sheldon stood at the head of the table, leaning on his fists as his still black eyes scanned the map. Howard stood to his right and surprisingly Roman stood to his left. The burly man having sought out the distressed Prince after word spread about Ilana's death.
"Did they take any of the equipment that you had made for them?" Roman asked, looking to the slender engineer.
Howard scratched his jaw and shook his head. "I would have to do a full inventory, but nothing that is standing out to me."
"It will be here. I know it will." Sheldon muttered. "He will want his final move against us to be on her homeland."
"Why?" Howard crossed his arms and furrowed his brows.
"To make a point. To show that he eliminated the most powerful woman and did so on her own land." Roman supplied tonelessly.
"Okay, well let's look at this logically." Howard uncrossed his arms and leaned on the table again, pressing against the creases on the map. "It's only Elizabeth, Vaclav and Thomas. So I'm assuming it won't be an all-out battlefield type of fight. I would guess they are going to do a surprise attack on him."
Roman and Sheldon both snorted at the same time in amusement.
"You've truly never seen them fight have you?" Roman raised a brow at Howard. Howard shrugged. He had seen Elizabeth fight, but only through the camera on the robots he made.
"Elisabeta, Vaclav and Thomas did not earn their sadistic titles for nothing. They fight brutally. They move quickly and kill without question. I've seen Elisabeta kill a dozen men before I've even finished my first kill. While 3 people may not sound like a great deal, when talking about those 3 and together, it would be violent." Roman looked towards Sheldon who nodded in agreement.
"Okay," Howard conceded, "but the reality is it's only 3 against who knows how many. William does not seem dumb enough to not keep heavy numbers around him, if only to put diversions before his opponent."
"Maybe that's the key then." Sheldon mused as stood back and pinched the bridge of his nose. "William keeps heavy numbers, but he does not have strong vampires on his side which is why he has turned to trying to break down this coven from within."
"Planting doubt, you mean?" Roman looked to Sheldon in interest.
"Yes." Sheldon nodded. "Elisabeta and Vaclav have both said William is not a fighter. He manipulates and observes. He wanted to break her so her coven would doubt her."
"Why?" Howard asked, looking between Roman and Sheldon in confusion. It seemed as though both men figured something out.
"He's not expecting her." Roman slammed his hands on the table in anger. "He knew the coven was doubting her. He knew."
"Yes, he did." Sheldon clenched his jaw, anger once again coursing through him.
"Okay, what did you two figure out? Because I'm lost." Howard looked down at the map as though it was the answer to his question.
"That's why she told no one. She knew she had a traitor. That's why she has not fought back against the doubt. She knew the information was being fed to him." Sheldon mused aloud, looking to Roman who nodded in agreement.
"Hans and Vaclav's fight spread quickly. As did Elisabeta shutting herself away, but why would she leave today?" Roman sat down in the chair and rubbed his hand across his mouth as he pondered.
Howard's eyes widened in realization. "The vote! She knew the council was meeting about the vote!"
"He knew she was going to be voted out today. He's expecting her to be here, dealing with the aftermath of her coven falling to pieces." Roman's leg bounced in barely disguised glee. What had first seemed like a suicide mission was now showing to be a carefully thought of plan.
"Ilana. She brought the vote forward. She was trying to overthrow Elisabeta." Sheldon rolled his neck against the tension that thinking of Ilana and her traitorous actions brought up.
"If he knew the vote was occurring today, he would want to be close by. Somewhere symbolic for the fall of Elisabeta –" Roman abruptly rose mid-sentence and rushed over to the bookcases, eyes scanning the spines before grabbing a large one and slamming it on the table. He violently thumbed through the pages until he reached the page he was searching for. Quickly the burly man turned the book around and shoved it towards Sheldon.
"Hunedoara Castle?" Howard muttered.
"Vlad was held prisoner there. He was forced to feed on rats to survive and it was rumored that is where he went insane, drinking the blood of animals." Roman offered, turning the page to the updated statistics. "It was open for many years to the public, but was damaged in a storm a few years back. Elisabeta had her contact with the Ministry of Culture deem it unsafe for tourists. No one has occupied it for years."
"And you think that's where they'd be?" Sheldon pinned Roman in place with his fierce eyes. The man nodded immediately.
"I would be my life on it."
Elizabeth, Vaclav and Thomas moved silently along the wall of Hunedoara Castle, finally relocating from the dark corner they had spent too much time in for Elizabeth's taste. Thomas had silently navigated around the castle during the sunset studying where William had his men stationed and attempting to discover where the madman himself was. Elizabeth had been impressed when Thomas arrived back at their meeting spot completely unscathed and undetected. Then again, his stealth and light foot movements were what made him a dangerous enemy. One did not usually suspect until it was too late. It had made him a favored guard by Elizabeth I.
The trio stopped just below the bridge that lead into the main courtyard of the castle. They knew from Thomas' earlier scan that the courtyard was heavily guarded. Thomas pulled his two picks from his bag and turned towards Elizabeth. The stoic woman nodded silently, indicating for him to proceed. With shocking speed, Thomas used the two sharp picks to scale the heavy stone wall. When Thomas reached the top, he tied the thick rope he had in his pack to a rafter, ensuring it was secure before carefully climbing over onto the bridge without being seen.
"I'll be right behind you, Beta." Vaclav whispered to Elizabeth, gently nudging her towards the rope.
Elizabeth rubbed her hands together and jumped up, carefully gripping the rope and using her arms and legs to pull her body towards the bridge. Though she did not scale vertically as quickly as Thomas or Vaclav, her speed was still impressive and would beat any mortal. When Elizabeth reached the top, Thomas reached a hand down to her, gripping her wrist firmly and helped the silent woman over the top. Elizabeth leaned back against the wall while Thomas helped Vaclav, the surly man having reached the top nearly immediately after his Queen.
"Once we enter, I'll take the guards in the courtyard. You two move into the castle. I overhead guards saying he was hosting a feast tonight in the dining room." Thomas whispered as he pulled his knives from his bag and adjusting his rarely used bow that he had hung over his shoulder. It had been a while since he used the weapon, but he doubted he would have an issue.
Elizabeth nodded without saying a word, checking her knives and removing the spear she had tied to her back. Vaclav took his weapons out of his canvas bag, tossing it back to the ground while he adjusted his grip on his beloved morning star. The weapon was old, stained and showed it's age, but it was a reliable as it had been back when he fought with Vlad. There was something to be said about the old metalwork of their blacksmith. The highly praised man had also created the spear Elizabeth was carrying. A weapon she had used thousands of times. It gave her comfort.
Thomas moved to stand, but was stopped by Elizabeth's firm grip on his wrist. Patiently, he kneeled back down and looked impassively at the woman.
"Should I fall –"
"No! It won't happen." Vaclav harshly whispered, interrupting her words. Elizabeth glared at the man.
"Should I fall, you two get out and get back to the castle. Do not wait for me." Elizabeth ordered.
Thomas looked to Vaclav and nodded his acceptance. He did not want to consider a plan in which they did not get her out of the castle safely, but they had to be prepared for anything. Vaclav did not accept her words, but his tight grip on her hand offered some peace of mind. She knew the man would never verbally acknowledge leaving her behind. She knew he most likely wouldn't.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and rest her chin against her chest, taking a moment to channel her pain and her anger. She had to keep a clear head during this fight. She could not afford for her emotions to distract her so she channeled everything deep within. When her eyes opened moments later, neither man was surprised to see black eyes that reflected a red-orange aura in them.
"Let's move." Thomas ordered, smirking when Elizabeth and Vaclav immediately rose and shifted their weapons to tighten their grip.
To say all hell broke loose when the sadistic trio entered the courtyard is a gross understatement.
Thomas moved with experienced precision, shooting his arrows into the chests of the enemy on the curtain wall and balconies while Elizabeth and Vaclav fought the guards on the ground in hand to hand combat, the latter so enraged he severed the head of his opponent with one heavy swing of his morning star. Elizabeth was trancelike, killing with experienced hands and never reacting to the hits she was receiving. It was war, it was home.
"Get inside." Thomas yelled over his shoulder as he shot another arrow into a guard.
Vaclav grabbed Elizabeth's arm and dragged her away from her latest kill, refocusing her on their mission of seeking out William and killing him.
The castle was much as Elizabeth remembered from her youth, though updated with modern lighting and décor. She sneered at the disgrace it was amongst the beauty of the castle. The two sadists killed with precision and the advantage of having fought inside narrow corridors. The small space and dead ends appeared to be throwing William's inexperienced guards.
Though the numbers were high, Elizabeth and Vaclav had little issue with dispatching their enemy and continuing their path towards the dining room. She knew William was a coward and would hide in there, praying his guards killed her before she could even reach him.
It seemed shockingly easy to reach the dining room, Elizabeth kicking the doors open and eyes swiftly darting around the room. As she expected, William was standing towards the back, his head shifting quickly towards the doors. She smirked at the way his eyes widened in shock.
Vaclav sprung into action the moment the doors were open. Elizabeth had tunnel vision. She seemed impervious to the large amount of guards and coven members that occupied the dining room, her eyes focused solely on the man at the opposite end. Her eyes never left him as she walked atop the long dining table while she swung her spear, impaling a traitor and throwing them aside before repeating the process on the next victim. Time seemed to slow down the closer she got to William. Her movements felt heavy and the noise began to drown out until all she could hear was silence.
Alistair was the last to fall at her spear. The last body between her and the man whom nearly destroyed her. Elizabeth jumped off the table and landed gracefully on her feet before William, the strong copper twinge in the air intoxicating.
"I have underestimated you." William purred with a smirk. The action infuriating Elizabeth.
"You always did." Elizabeth tonelessly replied.
William held his hands out to his side and arrogantly stared the beauty down. "Well, come on then."
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed on William. It was easy. Too easy.
William began to chuckle at the look of confusion that Elizabeth could not help from slipping through her stone cold eyes.
"Confused, my darling?" William dropped his arms and looked around the room that was in shambles. Vaclav was in the corner fighting with the 5 remaining guards, the others lying dead in a pool of their own blood.
"Well, what are you waiting for? I'm here, Elisabeta. End me." William taunted the woman as he reached for his goblet from the table, his eyes remaining glued to her as he delicately sipped its contents.
"You have spent years building an army against me. You nearly had me executed and this," Elizabeth gestured to the room, "is how you fall? Why?"
William shrugged as he placed the goblet back on the table.
"You outsmart me, my darling. Should that really surprise you?" The light haired man strut over to his chair and sat down, crossing his legs and resting his arms against the chair arms. He seemed at home in his dark medieval attire.
"Elisabeta! Finish him!" Vaclav yelled from across the room, maintaining his position at the door, killing anyone who dare enter.
Elizabeth ignored Vaclav and kept her eyes focused on William.
"You planned this." Elizabeth whispered in shock. "You knew I was coming."
William raised a brow, clapping his hands together in slow mocking fashion. "Beauty and brains."
Elizabeth grit her teeth and clenched her spear as a cold ice block took up residence in her stomach.
"Who?"
"Who what?" William smiled arrogantly. "Who is pulling the strings behind all this? Well, where would be the fun if I told you?"
Elizabeth pounced on William, slamming his head back against the chair, pinning his arms with her legs and her spear pressed against his throat.
"Who?!" Elizabeth screamed into his face.
"My dear Princess, an enemy in which this world is not prepared for. With my death, it will start." William whispered hotly against her face, his eyes transfixed on hers.
"Who is it?" Elizabeth pushed the spear harder against his throat.
"You will die." William smirked. "Rest assured, my darling, you will die and chaos will engulf all that which you hold dear to your heart and you will not be here to stop it. He will be victorious and he will succeed where others have failed."
Elizabeth's fangs grew longer in frustration, her hand nearly ripping his scalp clean off, though the man never wavered in his smirk. It was infuriating.
"No." Elizabeth whispered. "I will never stop fighting. Whomever you speak of, they will not prevail."
William chuckled darkly as he closed his eyes. "Oh my dear, how wrong you are. This was all foretold. You finding your soul mate, your daughter, all of this." William's eyes opened again, pinning her in place. "You cannot escape your destiny and your destiny is to die. You will die with the sounds of your daughter's screams echoing in your head. Your husband will not even kiss you goodbye. It has begun and nothing you do will stop it. Savor your days with them for they are numbered."
With a violent scream, Elizabeth shoved the spear through William's head, the sharp point protruding from the top of his skull. William's face remained as it was. His eyes wide open and his mouth smirking, mocking her. All fight left the woman immediately as she slumped over, sobbing silently.
"Elisabeta. Elisabeta, please my love."
Soft words slowly pulled the sadist from her grief as noise once again reached her ears. Large hands gently pulled her shoulders back towards a firm chest she knew so well as Sheldon wrapped his arms around her.
"It's okay, my love, it's over." He whispered against her ear, his arms tightening around her as her body trembled.
Elizabeth swallowed the heavy lump in her throat, opening her eyes to see William in the same position he had been when she killed him. Sheldon kneeled behind her, holding her while Vaclav, Thomas and Penny watched from the opposite end of the room. It had taken Sheldon many tense minutes to lure Elizabeth back. Almost immediately after killing William she had lost herself in tears and sadness and she did not hear when their unexpected reinforcements arrived nor the fight that continued on for nearly 15 minutes. She could not feel the strong hands that rubbed her back or register the pleading whispers in her ear. Nothing existed except William's cruel words. Words she knew to be true.
"Let's go home." Sheldon whispered to her while he gently pulled her body away from William. Elizabeth was boneless, her legs feeling numb as they tried to hold her body up. Sheldon's arm remained around her waist as the couple slowly made their way away from the madman who had caused so much chaos in their life. Sheldon inclined his head towards William, a non-verbal request to Vaclav and Thomas. The two men silently walked over to the last 1st generation vampire. Vaclav yanked the spear from the man's skull with one rough pull and walked away, allowing Thomas to throw the man's corpse over his shoulder. William would be displayed on their training grounds, a trophy for the Dracul coven's victory and a reminder to any who wish to oppose them.
The ride home had been silent. Sheldon and Elizabeth sat at the back of one van, Elizabeth curled against her husband with her face buried in his neck. Sheldon did not question her sudden need for physical affection, but he would not question it. It had been far too long since he held his wife.
Thomas and Vaclav sat in the middle row of the van, both men lost in their own thoughts about what they had witnessed with their Queen. It was unlike Elizabeth to become so emotional after a fight, though neither could blame her. The war had nearly cost her everything.
Just as the sun was rising the coven members arrived home to the joyous cheers and celebration of their coven. Penny nearly tripped as she exited her van to run into the arms of her husband. Leonard held Penny close and thanked any power listening that she returned home safely. Simon and Ana both were equally relieved to see their spouses. Ana wrapped herself around Thomas, kissing every available and unbloodied patch of skin on his neck and face. Simon was more subdued in his display of affection, but he did not feel the need to hide his love anymore. He pulled Vaclav into a fierce hug and kissed the man's neck affectionately.
Sheldon kept his arm around his wife as they silently walked past the coven members who were congratulating and thanking them. Elizabeth still felt as though she were in a fog and allowed Sheldon to steer her into the castle and away from the group. The only emotion she showed was when her donor Claudia arrived in her line of vision holding a lavender pajama clad Irina in her arms. Elizabeth smiled when her daughter reached for her, the child slipping into her arms with natural ease. Irina babbled on in her ear about nonsense, but it did not matter to the stoic woman. What mattered was her daughter was in her arms and her husband at her side.
Sheldon leaned in the doorway of his daughter's nursery, watching with affection as Elizabeth carefully placed Irina inside her crib. The sadistic vampire had spent 20 minutes rocking her daughter in silence. No words needed to be spoken and the silence was not oppressive or uncomfortable. It was surprisingly peaceful.
After tucking the blanket around the slumbering toddler, Elizabeth turned towards the door and her husband. Sheldon watched impassively as she approached him, her hand reaching out for him. Sheldon grabbed her hand and allowed himself to be pulled from Irina's room, quietly closing the door behind him and into their master bedroom. Sheldon also closed that door quietly while being lead towards their bathroom.
Neither spoke as they undressed, their eyes watching the other. Sheldon knew this wasn't sexual. This wasn't about enticing or arousing, it was about comfort and connection. When they were both naked, Elizabeth once again grabbed his hand and led him towards the shower. Elizabeth leaned against Sheldon, resting her head on his shoulder as the hot water beat down on the both of them. Sheldon gently grabbed the shampoo and delicately washed his wife's long hair, massaging her scalp to help her relax. Elizabeth hummed in satisfaction at the tingles that went down her spine.
Slowly the couple bathed. At first Sheldon kept his hands to himself, only washing his body and allowing Elizabeth to wash hers. It was not their normal routine, that usually ended in heavy petting and/or sex, but he was not pushing it. They would move at her speed, however fast or slow that might be. So he was shocked when she handed him her loofah and smiled softly. Sheldon's eyes never left hers as he washed her body gently and methodically. Elizabeth's eyes closed in relaxation at the calming feeling that was encompassing her. Sheldon caressed her skin with the same reverence as he always had. He did not quickly skim over areas or avoid them all together. Aside from moving more slowly, he paid her body the same attention he always had.
Satisfied that they were both clean, Sheldon lead Elizabeth from the shower and wrapped a large fluffy red towel around her, rubbing her arms slowly and lovingly. Elizabeth remained bundled in the towel as Sheldon wrapped one around his own waist and grabbed her comb and hair tie. Elizabeth's eyes fluttered shut when the comb's teeth lightly scraped against her scalp, the sensation soothing and relaxing.
Once Elizabeth's hair was loosely braided to prevent tangling, Sheldon pulled his wife towards their room. When he moved towards their chest of drawers, Elizabeth's hand did not release his. Sheldon turned towards her in confusion and noted her eyes were on their bed. It had been many weeks since they shared a bed.
"We don't have to sleep together, my love." Sheldon whispered, caressing her face gently. Elizabeth shook her head as she licked her lips, pulling him towards it. Though Sheldon remained impassive and relaxed, inside his stomach felt in knots as his wife dropped her towel and slowly climbed into bed naked, laying on her back in the center, the covers pulled up to her hips. Sheldon opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when she held out a hand to him, her eyes silently begging he not reject her.
Not caring about the bright light that was pouring through the windows or the slight dampness on his back, Sheldon climbed into the bed and positioned himself on his side next to his wife though keeping distance between them as to not make her uncomfortable. Elizabeth's brows were furrowed in thought, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. Her hands fidgeted with the blanket, but Sheldon remained still.
With sloth-like speed, Elizabeth reached her left arm across her body to his hand that was resting on top of the blanket between them. Her eyes remained locked onto his as she slowly pulled him towards her until he was leaning over her. Carefully, Elizabeth shifted her right leg to slide under his body so he was laying between her legs, though no part of his body touching hers.
Sheldon licked his lips quickly, forcing his face to remain emotionless and willing his body to not respond improperly, whatever way that was. "Elisabeta –"
"Just look at me, please." Elizabeth whispered pleadingly. "I want this and I want you, but please just don't look away."
"I won't." He whispered softly, slowly lowering his body until they were pressed nearly together. Sheldon leaned on his left hand while his right lovingly caressed her body slowly. Unlike when he washed her, these caresses were meant to arouse.
It had been a painfully slow process preparing Elizabeth physically and emotionally for sex, though Sheldon kept his word - his eyes never left her. Not even when tears formed in hers and they carefully leaked from the corners of her eyes. His eyes remained open as he penetrated her body once again with a slow tenderness that their love making had never had before. His eyes remained on her even when her eyes began to flutter closed in pleasure. His eyes were locked onto hers as they both reached their climax in sync with one another.
Elizabeth closed her eyes and pulled Sheldon down atop her so their bodies were pressed tightly together, her arms and legs wrapped around him, him still nestled inside her. Sheldon kissed her neck softly, his right hand rubbing her side soothingly as her body slowly stopped trembling. Whether it was from pleasure or tension he wasn't sure, but he wouldn't push. If she wanted to talk about it, she would.
"Promise me that no matter what may come in the future, you'll always be here." Elizabeth whispered shakily.
Sheldon gently lift his head so he could look at his wife in the eyes and was slightly alarmed at the fear that was shining in her eyes.
"I promise I will always be here, my love, until the end of time. No matter what may come." Sheldon whispered confidently, smiling in return of the pleased smile that formed on his wife's lips.
Elizabeth nodded and repositioned them so Sheldon was laying on his back and she next to him, her head on his shoulder and her left arm and leg thrown across him. Neither cared that their drapes were still open allowing the bright sun to shine into their room or that their naked forms were barely covered. Absolutely nothing else mattered as consciousness slowly slipped away and peaceful sleep embraced them.
A/N #2: And that's all she wrote for this story ladies and gentlemen. I know the final scene with William and Elizabeth seemed anti-climactic, but that's by design. I wanted to lay the groundwork for the next story and their next enemy.
Again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for following, reviewing and sticking by me. You're fabulous!